The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, comprising Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary, has refused to stall the overall elections of the Central Bar Association, Civil Court, Raebareli, but postponed the election for the post of ‘Treasurer’ by one week to August 1, 2026. The Court directed the Elders Committee of the Bar Association to decide the objections of an advocate whose name was abruptly deleted from the final voters’ list despite his long-standing life membership.
Background of the Case
The petitioner, Anand Kumar Gupta, is a practicing advocate enrolled with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh since March 29, 1998 (Registration No. UP01208/1998), holding a valid Certificate of Practice (No. R1-115750 of 2025). He has been a Life Member of the Central Bar Association, Civil Court, Raebareli since 2008. His name appeared continuously in the electoral rolls from 1999 to 2025. Over the years, he served as Treasurer for multiple terms (2000–2002, 2002–2004, 2008–2009) and as Senior Executive Member (2020–2022), besides being the runner-up for the post of Treasurer in the 2025 elections.
On July 8, 2026, the outgoing Executive Committee sent the eligible voters’ list for the 2026 elections to the Elders Committee, featuring the petitioner’s name at Serial No. 1563. However, the provisional voters’ list published on July 13, 2026, omitted his name without stating any reason. Although the petitioner filed detailed objections highlighting his credentials, the final voters’ list published on July 15, 2026, continued to exclude him.
Aggrieved by his exclusion, the petitioner filed a writ petition seeking to quash the final electoral roll to the extent of his exclusion, alongside directions to allow him to submit his nomination and contest for the post of Treasurer.
Arguments of the Parties
Sri Saksham Agarwal appeared for the Petitioner and Adv Birendra Pratap Singh, Counsel appeared for Central Bar Association Raibareli
Counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that the omission of the petitioner’s name was arbitrary, illegal, and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. As a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the Central Bar Association is obligated to adhere to its registered Bye-laws, Model Bye-laws, and principles of natural justice. It was urged that the petitioner maintains an unblemished record with continuous practice, valid enrollment, and no outstanding dues. The petitioner contended that his deletion was done with mala fide intent to extend undue advantage to favored candidates for the post of Treasurer.
In response, counsel for the respondent-Bar Association submitted that the petitioner is not a regular practitioner before the court attached to the Bar Association and cannot claim legitimate membership. It was further asserted that no objections were submitted by the petitioner against the provisional list published on July 13, 2026.
However, counsel for the Bar Association fairly conceded that if the petitioner submits his objection along with five vakalatnamas of the preceding two years, the Elders Committee would consider and decide his objection favorably if found in accordance with the applicable rules.
Court’s Analysis
Examining the record, the High Court observed that there was no dispute regarding the petitioner being a Life Member of the Bar Association since 2008, nor was it denied that his name was included at Serial No. 1563 in the list sent to the Elders Committee.
The Court took note of the fast-tracked schedule drawn up for the election:
- July 15, 2026 (5:00 PM): Final publication of Voters’ List
- July 16, 2026 (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM): Distribution of Nomination Papers
- July 17–18, 2026: Filing, Scrutiny, and Disposal of Objections
- July 20, 2026 (11:00 AM): Publication of Final List of Candidates
- July 25, 2026 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM): Polling Day
- July 26, 2026: Counting of Votes
Highlighting the rapid sequence of events, the Court observed: “We are conscious of the law that the election process cannot be stalled at this belated stage, however, we may note the tearing hurry in finalisation of the electoral roll and conducting of the election…”
Decision of the Court
Without commenting further on the expedited mode of the election or the propriety of deleting the petitioner’s name without adequate opportunity, the High Court disposed of the petition based on the concession offered by the parties.
The Court granted liberty to the petitioner to submit his objection, along with relevant supporting documents and five vakalatnamas from the preceding two years, within two days. The Elders Committee has been directed to consider the objection, grant an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, and pass a reasoned order in accordance with law.
While allowing the general elections scheduled for July 25, 2026, to proceed uninterrupted, the Court directed that the election for the post of ‘Treasurer’ alone be postponed to August 1, 2026. If the Elders Committee finds the petitioner eligible, he shall be permitted to file his nomination and contest for the post.
The Court clarified: “It is made clear that this order has been passed in the peculiar facts of the present case and on the concession given by the learned Counsel for the parties and shall be not considered as a precedent in any other case.”
Case Title: Anand Kumar Gupta v. State Of U.P. Thru. Deputy Registrar Firms Chits And Society Lko. And 2 Others
Case No.: WRIT-C No. 7681 of 2026
Bench: Justice Shekhar B. Saraf, Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary
Date: July 23, 2026
